At the Wakulla 4-H Open House, the new club year did not begin with a speech. It began with music, conversation, curious questions and the unmistakable energy of young people discovering what they might try next.

On Saturday, Aug. 29, close to 200 people moved through the Agricultural Arena at the UF/IFAS Extension facility in Crawfordville. Colorfully decorated tables turned the arena into a lively map of opportunity. Families met club leaders and youth members, examined projects and explored activities ranging from rabbits and poultry to art, ecology, food, entrepreneurship, communications, robotics and shooting sports.

The variety was the point. One child could pause over a rabbit, another could investigate robotics, and another could picture taking the microphone, starting a small enterprise or building confidence outdoors. Community partners widened the experience with youth activities of their own, creating a family-friendly morning where nearly every stop invited participation.

“The open house lets families see that 4-H is much bigger than any one project. It is a place to find an interest, build skills and belong to a community.”  — Christine Pearson, Wakulla 4-H program assistant

A Community Kickoff

The arena sounded as lively as it looked. Event emcee and sound engineer David Pienta kept the program moving while local favorite Rockulla, led by music instructor Kevin Andrew, performed classic and contemporary country and pop selections. Several of Andrew’s students are also 4-H members, making the performance another example of local talent and youth development coming together.

Food trucks Faith Brewed Coffee — by the Shack and Zap Zap LLC served choices ranging from coffee and breakfast sandwiches to Thai cuisine. Keep Wakulla County Beautiful brought its costumed otter mascot, the Wakulla County Coalition for Youth offered friendship-bracelet activities, and Wakulla STEAM engaged visitors with robotics. Bunnies and bees added to a morning designed to make learning visible, inviting and fun.

For 4-H Agent Rachel Pienta, the turnout reflected both the community’s interest and the commitment of the volunteers who make local clubs possible.

“I want to thank everyone who came out to Open House on Saturday,” Pienta said. “The Wakulla 4-H volunteers work very hard to put on this annual club kickoff event, and it means a lot when the community shows up to support them and the youth. We’re looking forward to another great year of serving Wakulla County.”

Learning by Doing, Growing with Others

The open house is festive, but its purpose reaches beyond a single Saturday. Florida 4-H describes its approach as hands-on, or learn-by-doing, education that helps young people gain knowledge, practice responsibility, explore career paths and develop as productive citizens. Statewide offerings span agriculture, STEM, leadership, service and many other interests, with caring adults helping youth turn curiosity into capability.

That model is visible in Wakulla County’s club lineup. Some clubs build technical skills. Others strengthen communication, creativity, teamwork, environmental awareness or leadership. Many do several of those things at once. Pearson said the goal is not for a young person to arrive already knowing how to do something. The goal is to give each member a supportive place to begin, practice and grow.

The wider Florida program reports reaching more than 206,000 youth ages 5 to 18 during the 2023-2024 program year through clubs, school enrichment, camping and other experiences, supported by more than 8,000 adult and youth volunteers. Research highlighted by Florida 4-H associates participation with stronger academic engagement and increased interest in college and science- and technology-related pathways.

Clubs for the 2026-2027 Year

Enrollment is now open for the new club year. Wakulla 4-H is offering a broad mix of fall, spring and full-year experiences. Availability and schedules may change, and some clubs will open later in the year. Families should follow Wakulla 4-H updates and contact the Extension office about interest or wait lists.

SPIN clubs are short-term Special Interest clubs. Club timing and enrollment status are subject to change; contact Wakulla 4-H for current details.

How Families Can Join

Families may create or log in to a household account at 4-H Online, add or re-enroll members, select Wakulla County, choose clubs and projects, and submit enrollment. Returning members can use their existing account. Families who are new to 4-H can contact the local office for help choosing a club or understanding when a particular offering will open.

Pienta and Pearson emphasized that there is room in 4-H for both longtime members and families encountering the program for the first time. The open house offered a preview. The new club year offers the deeper experience: showing up, trying something new, learning alongside others and discovering how much a young person can do.

2026-2027 Club Guide

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